Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1887-07-29
OVERHEARD.

OVERHEARD.
The following narrative, though re-
markable, is all fact. It was related to
me by Mr.. Forester himself while 1 was
On board the ship with him, and was
vouched for in all particulars by Capt.
Roberts. All names given are the true
names of those interested, and have not
attempted to embellish the narrative, but
give it in Mr. Forester's own words:
Gas you are aware, have been chief
engineer of the steamship Kingdom for
several years, and 1 really think that
good luck will follow me as long as 1 re-
main by her Well, we left the port of
Dunkirk, on the coast of France, on the
afternoon of Aug. 81, 1886, bound for
Liverpool, England, the home of my wife
and children. You can imagine my anx-
iety to reach those so dear to me much
better than | can describe it. No one but
those who follow the sea can realize fully
the feelings of him who is homeward
bound after long absence. We
had been on our way about thirty
six hours. 1t was my watch in
the engine room. I stood beside the great
engines and watched their pulsation, and
knew that every stroke made the great
screw revolve and sent us nearer nearer
to our loved ones All was going well in
the engine room, and concluded I would
take breath of fresh air. Mounting the
ladder, I climbed to the engine room door
on the main deck. 1t was 8 o'clock at
night The stars shone out bright and
beautiful magnificent summer night at
sea- The captain and his wife (who had
joined him at Dunkirl0 were on the ships
bridge, the captain keeping a sharp look
out for Dungeness light, on the English
coast. The ships log registered 10 1-2
knots per hour, and that light should
have been in sight. Capt. Roberts, see
ing me, remarked that the ship was not
doing as well as he expected, as the light
should now be in sight. I was satisfied
that the light would soon show up. and
made myself comfortable on the port rail
amidships to lunch on the coffee and
crackers that the steward served me with
at this hour I drank the coffee and sat
the cup OH the rail, and at that moment 1
saw flash almost dead ahead.
''To make sure that it was Dungeness
light I stood upon the rail, and placing
my hand over my head and taking hold
of the steering rod, leaned over the side
l.
rnent Of the rod brought my hand in con-
tact with the block in the shieve. Fear
ing my hand would get caught, 1 reached
up the other, intending to change hands,
l let go too soon, and missed my hold, and
the next moment found myself plunging
headforemost into the English channel
fifteen miles from land.
INSTANTLY I knew I must plunge deep
down under the water, and swim from
the ship to save myself from being drawn
into the wheel by the suction. I came to
the surface just astern of the ship and
facing her. The spray from the propeller
was driven against my face with such
force it seemed as if it cut the flesh. 1
turned my back for a moment, and then
the problem of life and eternity was before
me. I threw myself on my back and
fioated.
IT saw the great cloud of black smoke
roll out from the ships funnel and fall
over the water. I knew no one had seen
me fall over the ships side. realized at
once that all those so near, either one of
whom would have rescued me even at the
peril of his own life, were unconsciously
leaving me. / was not missed ON the ship
till midnight, two hours after I had fallen
overheard. The ship was searched-en-
gine, boiler and fire rooms-in the ex-
pectation of finding me disabled. At last
my cup and plate were found on the
ships rail. To those on board the
problem was solved-it was unanimously
voted that had dropped asleep and fallen
overheard while sitting Oh the rail All
thought it too late to put the ship about
and look. for me, and she was kept on her
course to Liverpool
'I was clad in quite q heavy wool
jacket, canvas pants, and heavy English
walking shoes, that laced high around
my ankle. My first effort was to free
myself of the great weight of clothing I
attempted to get out of my jacket; after
making the most superhuman efforts I had
to give it up. I could not eXtricate my
arms from the sleeves without drowning
myself. Again tried to get rid Of it by
throwing myself on my back and floating,
at the same time trying to pick the seam
open that held the sleeve. I had to give
this up. I then tried to get my shoe off,
but could not do so. Every effort made
I would sink, and then all my strength
had to be used in keeping my head above
water. To add to my misery most eX-
cruciating pain seized me in the back of
my head at the base of my brain. This
was terrible. l had now been in the water
a little over an hour, and was in full pos
session of every faculty. My whole life
passed before me like a panorama. Scenes
of my childhood that had faded from
memory were again as fresh as in the days
of youth. Calmly and quietly resigned
myself to my fate. Not even ray of
hope entered my mind.
IT had just finished what I supposed
was my last prayer to the great Jehovah,
in whose presence soon expected to be,
81 IL 81 III
wife and children, when to my great sur
prise, as if it were from out the great
deep, ! saw red light some distance from
and coming toward me. AS it drew quite
near raised myself up in the water and
cried out for assistance. My second or
third hail was answered and the ship
put about. I heard the watch on deck
calling up the watch below. had now
been in the water fully an hour and
O half. The pupils of my eyes had
become so much dilated that everything
was greatly magnitied. The ship looked
to me as large as mountain. 1t seemed
as if they would never get the small boat
into the water. I was nearly exhausted,
and could not have lasted many minutes
more AS saw the boat coming really
supposed it Ship it looked so large. The
next moment it shot up to me and found
myself seized by strong and willing arms
and pulled into the boat. My rescuer
proved to be noble Danish sailor, the
master of q little coasting schooner. Every
attention was shown me. My rags were
exchanged for the captains best. Icoula
retain neither food nor spirits for some
time. on account of having swallowed SO
much sea water My benefactor could not
speak English, nor l Danish, and 1t was
hard to make him understand how came
to be in the middle of the English channel
swimming for my life. was IN SAD
plight. My clothes were in tatters; inc
knees of my pantaloons were sphe open,
and nv engine room suit not very genteel